City Commission Votes to Approve Biomass Settlement, Will Hold Public Meeting in January

Published December 21st, 2012

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GAINESVILLE - Opponents of Gainesville's new biomass power plant will have the opportunity to make a lengthy pitch against the facility before city commissioners next month. This comes after the Gainesville city commission voted Thursday night to accept a lawsuit settlement that will result in the presentation.

The lawsuit was filed by a group known as "Gainesville Citizens CARE", and accuses the city commission of violating the state's Sunshine law by having Gainesville Regional Utilities negotiate the city's power-purchasing agreement. The Sunshine law requires governmental decision-making processes be open to the public.

As part of this settlement, the commission will now be required to hold a four hour public meeting to discuss the terms agreed to in that power-purchasing agreement.

Mayor Craig Lowe and commissioners Yvonne Hinson-Rawls and Susan Bottcher voted against accepting the settlement. The public biomass meeting is scheduled for January 9 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall.